pneumonic plague outbreak in China
Thailand on alert after pneumonic plague outbreak in China
NONTHABURI, – Thailand’s Department of Disease Control is closely monitoring China’s pneumonic plague outbreak, and is coordinating with the World Health Organisation despite there having been no occurrence of the malady in Thailand for 57 years, according to a senior health official.
Dr Somchai Chakrabhand, Director-General of the Disease Control Department, said health officials would enforce the Communicable Disease Act in response to the situation once WHO declares the deadly infectious disease as a global pandemic.
A reaction followed the outbreak of pneumonic plague in China’s Ziketan in the northwestern province of Qinghai which killed at least three people.
Currently the town of more than 10,000 people is already sealed off and a team of medical experts has been sent to the area.
Dr Somchai explained that pneumonic plague is caused by the bacteria ‘Yersinia pestis.’ Plague bacillus enters the skin from the site of the bite and travels through the lymphatic system to the nearest lymph node.
It is usually transmitted between animals and humans by the bite of infected fleas, direct contact, inhalation and only rarely, by eating or drinking infected foodstuffs.
Infected persons usually start with flu-like symptoms after an incubation period of 3-7 days. Patients typically experience a sudden onset of fever, chills, head and body-aches and weakness, vomiting and nausea. The untreated patients can die within 24 hours.
Meanwhile, Permanent Secretary for Public Health Dr Prat Boonyawongviroj added that the disease can be treated by antibiotics. Pneumonic plague as a pandemic last occurred in Thailand in 1952.
PNEUMONIC PLAGUE
Thailand tightens border controls against disease
BANGKOK: — Thai public health has stepped up its border precautions to guard against any possible outbreak of the pneumonic plague which claimed three fatalities in China.
Health minister Witthaya Kaewparadai said he had assigned the Disease Control Department to keep a close watch on China’s measures against the plague.
There would be border monitoring to prevent animal carriers of the plague from entering into Thailand.
“No special measures are being launched against the pneumonic plague,” he said, adding “The World Health Organization (WHO) is monitoring the situation and we will follow its measures.”
The pneumonic plague outbreak hit China’s Ziketan in the northwestern province of Qinghai, killing at least three people. The Chinese government has already sealed off the the town of more than 10,000 people to prevent the spread of the outbreak.
Pneumonic plague is caused by the bacteria ‘Yersinia pestis.’ In its spread the plague bacillus enters the skin from the site of the bite and travels through the lymphatic system to the nearest lymph node.
It is usually transmitted between animals and humans by the bite of infected fleas, direct contact, inhalation and only rarely, by eating or drinking infected food.
Witthaya however added that the pneumonic plague can be spread only in a short period, unlike the influenza A(H1N1) in which the virus stays in human bodies for longer periods and can be transmitted to other persons.
“Untreated patients of pneumonic plague can die within 24 hours after contracting the plague.”